Shock absorber



duit 4, which preferably is formed in the wall of the casing and is of relatively small cross sectional area compared with that of the cylinder, extends in parallelism with the axis of the cylinder and communicates at its upper end with lthe reservoir. At its lower end the conduit 4 extends laterally beneath the head' 5 of the cylinder and forms a relatively large chamber below the cylinder head.

An inlet port 6, in the 'head 5 of the cylinder, communicates with the conduit. Preferably an outlet port is also provided in the cylinder head to communicate with the con-` duit. In the particular construction illustrated herein a port 7 is drilled downwardly through the head of the cylinder and communicates with a transverse hole 8 which is drilled in the lower part of the casing beneath the cylinder head at right angles to the port 7. rlfhe drilled hole 8 forms a port which communicates with the chamber which forms the lower portion of the conduit 4.-.

Apiston 9, preferably tubular in form, is reciprooably mounted in the cylinder and its head is provided with an upwardly extending boss 10 providing" a vjournal for a shaft l1, the preferably reduced ends 12 of which are connected to theY lower ends of links 13, the upper .ends of which are connected to a shaft 14 journalledin the end of an interior arm 15 of a rock shaft 16 which is journalled in suitable bearings in the casing and provided with an exterior arm 17 having atV its free end a cla-mp 18 by means of which it is connected to a preferably flexible meinber which in. turn is connected to one of the movable members, vthe movement of which is to be cushioned.

This shock absorber construction, like that disclosed in my prior patent aforesaid, is particularly adapted for use upon automobiles and other vehicles for cushioning the rebound of the springs, the casing' being connected to the fra-nie of the automobile or vehicle, and the arm 17 of the rock shaft to the axle of the vehicl'e,

A helical spring 19, preferably located within the tubular piston and seated at its y lower end upon the head of the cylinder, serves normally to raise the piston and thereby to raise the arm 17 and thus maintain tautthe ,flexible connection between the arm 17 and the movable member to which it is att-ached, such as the axle of a vehicle.

In the operation of the device a relative movement of the movable members toward each other tends to slacken the flexible connection between the arm 17 and the member to which it is conuxtefl. The spring 19 thereupon raises the piston, thus maintaining said flexible member taut. `lVhen the movable members' move in the opposite direction or apart, as caused by the rebound of the springs ot a vehicle, the arm 17 is moved downwardly, thus causing the piston to move downwardly. As the shock absorbers are designed to cushion the rebounding movement of the springs means are provided for 'freely admitting the liquid from the reservoir into the cylinder as the piston is raised', and for restricting or impeding the flow of the liquid from the .cylinder tothe vreservoir during the downward movement having an annular base liange 21, is seated upon the head of the cylinder surroundingr the port 6 and is held Jfrom relative movement by a pin 22 extending throughy said flange into a suitable hole in the cylinder head. The lower end of the s rine 9 which' serves to elevate the piston, preferably rests upon the flange 21 of the valve cage and holds it upon its scat.

The flange 21 of the valve cage is provided with a recess 23 which registers with the drilled hole 7 which communicates wit the port leadmg to the conduit 4l. Preferably a groove 24C is provided in the wall of the base of recess 23 of the flange 21 to prevent collapsing` of thc spring from shutting oil' the iow of liquid into the drilled hole 7 which communicates through the hole 8 with the lower end of the conduit 4.

The valve cage 2O is provided with a spider 25 having a hub 26 in which a stein 27 is mounted. A vallve 28, which may be of pressed sheet metal.y is slidably mounted upon this stem and is held normally seated upon the upper end of the valve cage 2O by a light helical spring 29 which abut-s at its upper end against a washer 30 held inplace by a cotter pin 31, or other suitable fastening, secured to the stem 27.

Upon upward movement of the piston this valve readily yields and permits a substantially free flow of liquid from the conduit 4 into the cylinder. As soon as the upward movement of the piston ceases the spring 291 seats the valve upon the upper end of the valve cage, thus closing; the port 5 against any downward new oi: the liquid.

The ilow of the liquid from the cylinder into the conduit is impeded or restricted by trated herein preferably of tubular construction, similar to that illustrated in my prior patent aforesaid. Ae illustrated hercl smaller Leonesa in the valve comprises a tubular head); which extends into the drilled hole. 8 which forms the outlet port of the cylinder, a. flange upon said head serving' to limit the movement of thev tubular portion of the valve.

valve head is provided with' one or more ports 34; which, when the valve This tubular is seated, are enclosed by the wall ot' the drilled hole 8. The valve is held in its seat by a helical spring 35 which surrounds the valve stem 36 and abuts at one end against the flange and at its opposite end against the end ofthe tubular plug 37 which is located diametrically opposite to the deliveryr port 8` and is provided with a centralaperture which receives and terms avguidefor the valve stem 36. The plug 37 is provided with a screw threaded portion 38 which engages complementary walls in the casing and also is provided with a squared head 39 adapted to be engaged by a wrench ,for the purpose of removing and replacing the valve.

It will be noted that the valve stem ei;- tends across the chamber below the cylinder head which novides am le room for the v l valveI spring', while the entire valve mecha nism is conveniently housed Within the chamber ot the cas-innr below the cylinder avoiding the necessity trom the outside ol the casing which otherwise would be necessary to accommodate the lvalve stem. y

n the operation of the device the downward movement ot' the piston may cause suflicient pressure upon' the head of the valve to force the valve rearwardly against the action ol thospring 35 until more or less of the ports 34 pass beyond the end of the wall ot' the port 8 thereby permitting the liquid to flow into the conduit 4 which returns it to the reservoir. inasmuch as this valve is relatively small and is held in its seat by a suitable spring' any 4desired resistance tothe flow otl the liquid from the cylinder into the conduit may be established.

The present construction (litters from that disclosed in my prior patent in that the `outlet or relief valve is located below the head ot thecylinder so that a very much casing may be employed and, furthermore, the present device requires a smaller amount of li nid than is necessary in theconstruction disclosed in my prior patent.

While the action of the relief `or outlet valve serves to cushion relatively large' move ments between the piston it is found desir able to provide additional means for assistingr in the cushioning movement and particularly to cushion the relatively small movements between the movable members.

lt is also found that where tubular pistons are employed in devices of this character more or less accumulation or air or gases is likelylto taire place beneath the head of head and" The bushing also is of any projectionV vthrough this the pistonu Such accumulation ot air' and gas will seriously interfere with the proper operation of the shock absorber. -lin the present construction means have been vided to permit a restricted flow of the liquid from the upper portion of the cylin der and also to vent the gases which may aecumulate within the tubular piston. In the present construction an aperture or duct 40 leads from the under face of the piston head to the bearing for the shaft 1l which, upon downward movement of the piston, enables a small amount of the liquid to flow upwardly through the duct l0 into the bearing of the shaft 11 from which it escapes into the reservoir beneath the surface of the liquid therein. lhe liquid and gases thus delivered are distributed over so great an .area that foaming of the liquid in the reservoir is vented.

In order to provide a more ample passage for the liquid which duct into the bearing the journal in the head 10 of the piston is provided with a bushing 4l which is made of sufficiently small diameter to enable it to rotate within the aperture or journal in the head 10 of the piston. rotatable upon the'shat't 11. lhe outer Wall of the bushing preferably lis provided with. ari-,annular channel l2 which communicates with the duet 40. Desirably, ports 43 extend through the bushing and communicate with the channel 42 so that liquid delivered through the duct d() to the channel 42 may pass out lengthwise of the outer wall of the bushing and also may pass-through the bushing and escape between the inner Wall of the bushing and the outer wall ot' the cylinder.

11 may also be provided with an annular is forced through thev proi lt desired the shaft groove or channel M to communicate with I the. ports 43 in the bushing, the channel 44 serving further to distribute the liquid peripherally about the shaft and thereby increase the freedom of its esca-pe.

By thus providing a rotatable bushing for this bearing the wearing),r of the bushing and shaft is decreased to a minimum since the bushing' will constantly rotate more or less` at each reciprocation of the piston.

ln some instances it may be desirable to provide other means for ventingr the air from beneath the piston head. This may be accomplished byprovidingl` a small hole or port 45 through the wall of the piston closely adjacent the under face of the head thereof so that air or gas which may accumulate may pass 'through the wall of the piston and escape between itl and the Wall of the cylinder. lnasmuch as the piston Wall engages the cylinder wall with a running fit little, if any, ot the liquid can pass port. 'A further feature of the invention consists in connecting the end of the rock shaft ermv l5 to the heed of the piston et e die i tance beyond the exis of the piston. ,lhis not only enables e longer interior roch;

,arm l5 to be used than would otherwise possible, butslso enables the link i3 ,te ect,

at substantially ell.' times, in perelielisni' for convenience of construction, extend entirelv .through opposite walls of the casing l. heee apertures are provided Witli .1otet able bushings 46 and 4S* which lit tightly upon the shaft 16, but, oi' course, permit oscillation of the shaft. The end of the shaft 16 terminates short of the end of the cri-sing upon one side und the Well of the aperture in this side of the casing is provided with e countersink 47 which is closed by e crowned disk ot motel 48 which is placed in seid il'ountersink and utter-Word expended. lesirably e thin pecking; 49 is interposed between the expended disk 48 and the hase of the countersinlz. Thus one of the .apertures may be effectively sealed.`

eXtends,pr'esents e for more serious prohlcniE particularly in view off the relatively smell space which is available for o suitable packing, and this problem was only solved es e result of e great deel of ezizperimei'itetion.

In the preferred construction illustrated herein the wall of the casing; l is provided with an annuler' countersink or recess 5@ of considerably greater diameter 'than the diameter of the rock shaft and e pecking or" fibrous material is compressed hy u suitohle ret-einer in this recess both against the bottom of the recess and against the rock shaft 1G. Preferably the pecking comprises :i series of' compressed cork washers 51 which are rete-ined in place and further compressed by n retaining ring 52 having on inner inclined lace whieh engages the periphery of 'the cork washers 5l. The outer wall of the retainin{r ring: 53 vis provided with suitable moans engaging the annulur wall ot the countersink or reces convenient end ellective means consists in providingy the annular retaining ring,r 52 with o knurled outer surface and in forcing the retaining,r ringr into its scat under heavy pressure, such :is hydraulic pressure.

iensee Preferably inetellio fie/i. interposed between the innermost eorli; 'Weeber andthe end oft the rot .iii-e lnishhngg9 'this Washer being of gres-ter external dienieter A .d "hk`7h l y,

pressed end prevents the peek 3 l forced between the outer weil or Loisir ing and. the Weil ci: the aperture vvhr e it is seetefl. The end oi? the roel: sin i6 desirehly is rounded, so tile-t it inserted 'through the i ed liu-sl. the letter lies been. essere l *l in t.. without shearing nu); el i the cork wesherl. @Vlies roce: f thus assemble-oi in its hearings sny which passes throueh the bushing absorbed by the cork washers and will temil to expand the seme ege-inst the shaft 'so that the hearing7 is effectively sealed against the escape of liquid..

it vwill he understood that the embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is illustrative sind not restrictive end that veri ous modifications in form, construction end arrangement of ports mey loe mede within Ythe spirit and scope of the following clleimsi Hoving thus described my invention, what I claim es new7 enel esire to secure by letters Potent, is;

l. A. Shoal-t absorber for cushioning the movement of 'two relatively movable mein bers comprising a casing adapted to loe eecured to one oseid relatively movable members presenting e reservoir for o. liquid, e cylinder having an open end communie-st ing with seid reservoir end e heed et the lower euri located at e distance frein the lower end of the easing end provided with. en inletI port and with conduit of relatively srnell xvmeter ithe well of seid cylinder extending; in paralisiisin `with the axis thereofa oominunioeting et its upper end with said reservoir env-:l et its lower end extending" below seid cyiinder heed and communicating with solid inlet und outlet ports, e. piston,reciprocehle in seid cylinder, ineens connecting s. iston to the other relatively movable mei 'o ik? valve in seid inletl port operable when ilie piston raised to permit liquid to time' freely from seid conduit into seid cylinder and s spi-ingr ectueed valve seid outlet pori, located below cylinder heed in seid conduit, operable to restrict the tloiv of liquid from sziicl cylinder into seid ,nduit when the piston is moved downwardly'.

2. A shock absorber cosine; conipi'inf :i reservoir, :i vcylinder extending; dow-wm., f therefrom having :i et ,its lower located :it a distance said casing end pro. outlet ports and u conduit in 1i of seid cylinder diunietricelly opposite to ssi-id out E36 Bij nected to one of said relatively movable members presenting a reservoir for 'a `liquid and a cylinder, a piston reciprocably mounted in said cylinder, means for establishing a free flow ol liquid from said reservoir to' said cylinder when the piston ismoved in one direction and means for restricting' the flow of liquid from said cylinder to said reservoir when the piston is moved in the opposite direction, alined apertures in the upper portion of said casing, a rock shaft mounted in the upper portion of said casing having an exterior arm adapted to be connected to the other relatively movable member, and an interior arm connected to said piston, a bearing' iorsaid rock 'shaft adjacent said exterior arm comprising an annular recess of greater diameter than that of said roei' shaft, a packing of homogeneous fibrous material in said recess and an annular retaining member forcibly fitting within saidV recess and having ,its periphery ixedly engaging the wall of said recess and having an inner inclined face engaging said packing acting to condense the same and force said packing toward said rock shaft.

9. A shock absorber for cushioning the movement of two relatively movable mehr bers comprising a casing adapted to be connected to one of said relatively movable members presenting a reservoir tor a liquid and a cylinder, a piston reeiprocably mount-- ed in said cylinder, means *for establishing a free loiv of liquid trom said reservoir to saidvcylinder when the piston is moved iii one direction and means for restricting .the flow of liquid from said cylinder to said reservoir when the piston is moved in the opposite directiom alined apertures in the upper portion of said casing, a roc: shaft mounted in the upperportion of said casing having an exterior arm adapted to be conT nected to the other relatively movable member7 and an interior arm connected. to said piston, a bearing for said roel: shaft adjacent said exterior arm comprising an annular recess of greater diameter than that of said rock shaft, a packing comprising a plun rality of compressed cork washers in said recess7 an annular retaining .member engaging the wall of said recess and having an Y inner inclined face acting to compress said packing rings together and to force the same toward said shaft.

10. A. shock absorber for cushioning the movement of tivo relatively movable members comprising a casing adapted to be connected to one of said relatively movable members presenting a reservoir for a liquid and a cylinder, a piston reciprocably mounted in said cylinder, means for establishing a free flow of liquid from said reservoir to said cylinder when the piston is moved in one direction and means for restricting the flow of liquid from said cylinder to said reservoir when the piston is moved in the opposite directiom alined apertures in the upper portion of said casing, a roclr shaft mounted in the upper portion of said casing having an exterior arm adapted to be' conneet-ed to the other relatively movable member, and an interior arm connected to said piston, a bearing itor said rock shaft adjacent said exterior arm comprising an annular recess of greater diameter tha that of said shaft, a packing comprising a pluof compressed corli washers in said recess; an annular retaining member engaging the Wall o t said recess and having' an inner inclined face acting to compress said packing rings together and to force the same toward said shaft5 a. rotatable bushing embracing said rock shaft and an annular Washer oi' greater diameter than the bush ing, interposed between said bushing and said fibrous material.

ll. A shock absorber for cushioning the movement of two relatively movable members comprising a casing adapted to be connected to one of said relatively movable members presenting a reservoir for a liquid and a cylinder, a piston reciprocablymounted in said cylinder, meansfor establishing a free flow ot liquid from said reservoir to said cylinder when the piston is moved in one direction and means for restricting the flow of liquid from said cylinder to said reservoir when the piston is moved'in the opposite drectiom alined apertures in the upper portion of 'said casing, a rock shaft nuuinted in the upperv portion ot said casing Ihivii'ig an exterior arm adapted to be connected to the other relatively movable meinber, and an interior arm connected to said piston` a bearing for said loci-:shaft adjacent said exterior arm comprising an annular recess of greater diameter than that of said rock shaft, a packing of fibrous mater'al in said recess and an annular retaining member engaging the wall of said recess and having an inner inclined face engaging said packing acting to condense the same and force said packing towart said 'rock shaft, and sealing means for closing the aperture in the opposite side of said casing ybeyond the end ol said rock shaft.

12. A shock absorber for cushioning the movement of tivo relatively movable inemf bers comprising a casing adapted to be connected to one Vof 'said relatively movable members presenting a reservoir for a liquid and a cylinder, a piston reciprocably mount- 'ed in said cylinder, means for establishing a free flow of liquid from said reservoir to said cylinder' when the piston is moved in one direction and means for restricting the flow of liquid from said cylinder to said reservoir.' when the piston is moved in the opposite direction, alined aperto res'in't-he upper portion of said casing, a rock shaft.

. Lew,

moiiii'efl in iie upper portion of seid Ces ing; herring mi exterifir arm adapted 0 be eumieei'eil te the other relatively movable memlw" and., an iiierier erm conneeed to Seial, 3 me i bearing lier said melf shaft erljeeeii Said exerier arm eomprisiiig; en of greater diemeer liari ihm,

mi roce' fsliirt9 :i peeking 0f fibrous rmiiiii in said recess and im armuier' retaining 'her engaging the wall of saidv recess and iig im inner ineiined fece engaging seid psi/king acti-ing i0 eoiidense the sume and 'i'mee s peeking toward said rock shaft, sind Sealing. means fer clesiiig the aperture in lire Opps-sim side of said easing; beyond ilie end @if suini reei shaft minimising e` cylindrical wlmte'rsink in said casing :md an expanded metal disk seated et the basee serial ei'iliiitereinlc.

i3, A .slmeli absorber for cushioning Vthe mm'ement of iw@ relatively iriovzilile memiiei-S miiiprieing: :i casing zufleited to he con iiected, tu une 1li' said relativelyl movable members preeeniing ai reservoir for .fr iiquid. :mil :i cylinder, a tubular piston reeipreeabiy mmmilml iii :seid cylinder adapted to ie euhrxerled if) the elier relatively"moveble memlier, ineens ier e:-;teiilisl1irig a free flow-of liquid imm said reservoir to said cyiinder when eine pisleii is; iixoveai in one irecioii :rml means for reerietinf; the flew 0i" liquid irmn seid cylinder te seid reservoir when the pieten is rzmved in the opposite direction, and :i rent port in the tliiixiier wall of Said piston7 leveled adjacent the cjyliiirler head, adapted i in permit eseape of air 0r gases which ei:-

rumiilnte iii seid tubular piston beneath lle liezrrl thereof.

iii. alicia): nimm-lier for cushioning the eee W bers, preseming e reservoir for e liquid and e eyiirider, e piston reciproceble in said cylieder, ineens operable upon movement of the pigeon in one direction to permit a substzm -ieily free flow oir' liquid from. seid reservoir ino seid cylinder, means for restricting the iew o' liquid from said cylinder to Sai reservoir when the piston is moved in the opposite direction, means, ede ted to bev connected te elle other 'relative y movablel merrilier, having e pivotal coimeoiori with iie heed of sei piston comprising e shaft' joiirrieled in e bearing in seid pison heed und a romable bushin m seid bearing whereby ziie wearing o ehe bulmig sind slieft wili he decreased te e minimum by moved ige lie, eppeeiie direcioii means,

fr clepiee be-fleelemnecd le the ol; er reieiweiy '.m'vebl niemeer, having e pivotal veermeeaieri wili the heed of seid pieten cem` prisiiig eheiie journelieel in e bemin@ in said pxsen heeel, e immeuble busliin in seid bearing; emi e (imei: in seid cyiin er heed cemmmiiceeing with seid cylinder emi the bearing in i'he pieten heed.

in testimony whereof, have signed my mme io this speeication.

mme' M. Leveren 

